Friday 23 December 2011

Mistletoe, Mulled Wine and a Fine Gathering!

Last Sunday a great many villagers gathered together to celebrate Christmas in our Victorian Church. I describe it thus because we have two Churches, one much earlier, which is generally known as the Little Church or the George Herbert one and St John, which is generally known as  the one by the school!  This one was due to be left to fall into direpair as mending the broken heating was prohibitive, so we have got together, formed numerous committees and are planning to turn our church into a village hall. I won't go into all the details but do have a look at the link if you're interested-
 http://stjohnsbemerton.blogspot.com/

It was such a happy, festive gathering, I couldn't resist sharing it . The photos are by my son Sam


taken with great panache but a little more blurry that my ususal ones as they are from his ipod!

This was not just a carol concert- there was mulled wine and mince pies-



And hot chocolate with marshmallows-



There was a stall selling all sorts of homemade treats-



I bought a pot of Quince jelly made by the best Quince jelly maker in the village!

I raided a boot-load of mistletoe from David's orchard-





There were lots tempted...





There was a craft area for the more energetic-



And the whole church was made more beautiful with candles and decorations





And of course, our friends!



As we said to each other-



It was a FINE GATHRERING!

So wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
Jane xxx

12 comments:

  1. Jane,

    The evening looks wonderful. I can't think of a more admirable task than to save an antique building. Here, in the states, we move all too quickly to implode and erect glass and steel. I applaud you and your fellow villagers. Wishing you a beautiful Christmas and a Happy New Year, Bonnie

    p.s. I think your son did a fabulous job taking pictures.

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  2. From what I could see, it's a lovely building, Jane. Thanks for posting the link. I'm so happy to see the preservation plans move forward. It is ironic that because of declining church attendance it's now the old church buildings themselves in need of salvation.

    Regards the gathering, it looked like great fun. Wish I could have been there. Jim

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  3. What a lovely post Jane, I wish you a happy Christmas with much love
    Sophie xx

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  4. Merry Chrisatmas to you, Jane! I love the photos... it's all very familiar to me and... so cosy and beautiful!

    BUON NATALE!

    ANNA

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  5. It looks like you all had a wonderful time. I am so pleased the old church will become a village hall. Good luck with English Heritage!
    Have a very happy Christmas Jane, and best wishes for the coming year.
    Abby xx

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  6. I appreciate the link and read about all that you've been doing for the beautiful old church. This gathering on the post looks so lovely and like such a wonderful time for everyone. I wish you a very Merry Christmas Jane. (((hugs)))Diane

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  7. What lovely photos - congrats to Sam as he has really captured the festive mood! What a great community spirit - hope you all manage to revive the old church - best wishes for Christmas and 2012, Carol x

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  8. Bonnie,Jim,Sophie,Anna,Abby,Diane and Carol,
    "Happy Christmas to all
    And to all a Good Night!"
    Lots of love
    Jane xxx

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  9. This looks like such a lovely event. Carols sung in church at Christmas time are very special. I hope you had a Merry Christmas. I really enjoyed your son's photos, he captured the festive community spirit of this night.

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  10. Looks very nice! Happy 2012!

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  11. I love churches, especially old churches, and hope you will successfully preserve this one, even if not as a church.

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  12. Thank you Sunday Taylor, Linnea and Terra,
    It's so lovely when people comment! Sorry I'm late replying. I love Sam's photos too, he's vey interested in photography and I like how he sees the world. Thank you for your good wishes for our Church, we plan to keep the alter area consecrated, so it will still remain a holy place and weddings etc can be held there but the rest of the church will be a little separated. We need masses of luck and hard work! Jane x

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